Hinge device

ABSTRACT

Abutment projections ( 54, 54 ) of a resin-made driver member (not shown) are inserted in the opposite end portions of a key groove ( 41 ) of a metal-made turnable member ( 4 ) in the circumferential direction. A key portion (B 3 ) of a receiving cylindrical portion is inserted between the abutment projections ( 54, 54 ). The interval between the abutment projections ( 54, 54 ) in the circumferential direction is set to be slightly larger than the width of the key portion (B 3 ). By doing so, when a transmission section is turned into an open position or a closed position, the abutment projections ( 54, 54 ) and the key portion (B 3 ) are collided with each other, thereby generating a click sound. Moreover, since both the abutment projections ( 54, 54 ) and the key portion (B 3 ) are formed of resin, they can be prevented from getting worn out soon.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a hinge assembly which is used for cellulartelephones and generates a click sound in a closed position and an openposition.

BACKGROUND ART

In general, a hinge assembly used for cellular telephones comprises ahinge main body and a turnable member. The hinge main body and theturnable member are non-turnably connected to a transmission section anda reception section, respectively. But the hinge main body and theturnable member are turnably connected to each other. By this, thetransmission section and the reception section of the cellular telephoneare turnably connected through the hinge assembly.

The turnable member is caused to abut with the hinge main body by biasmeans such as a coiled spring or the like. FIGS. 18(A) and 19(A) showabutment surfaces of the hinge main body and the turnable member b,respectively. Three fitting recesses a1, a2, a3 each having atrapezoidal configuration in section are formed in the abutment surfaceof the hinge main body a at predetermined locations in thecircumferential direction. On the other hand, two fitting projectionsb1, b2 are formed on the abutment surface of the turnable member b. Thetwo fitting projections b1, b2 are fitted in the fitting recesses a1,a2, when the reception section is turned to the vicinity of the closedposition, for example (FIG. 18(B) shows a state in which the fittingprojection b1 is fitted in the fitting recess a1). Then, the biasingforce of the bias means is converted into a turn biasing force byinclination surfaces of the fitting projections b1, b2 and the fittingrecesses a1, a2. By this turn biasing force, the reception section isturned into the closed position at a high speed and vigorously collidedwith the surface of the transmission section. As a consequence, a clicksound is generated. On the other hand, when the reception section isturned to the vicinity of the open position, the fitting projections b1,b2 are fitted in the fitting recesses a3, a1, respectively, therebycausing the basal portion of the reception section to collide with thebasal portion of the transmission section. Therefore, a click sound isalso generated when the reception section is turned into the openposition (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H07-11831).

In the above-mentioned conventional hinge assembly, if the receptionsection is turned at a low speed against the biasing force of the biasmeans when the reception section is turned into the closed position oropen position, the reception section is merely contacted with thetransmission section and never vigorously collided with the transmissionsection. Hence, there is such a problem that no click sound isgenerated.

The present applicant previously proposed a hinge assembly capable ofsolving the above problem under Japanese Patent Application No.H11-376023 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-152728). Thehinge assembly according to this proposal comprises a movable memberwhich is non-turnably but movably connected to a hinge main body. Themovable member is caused to abut with a turnable member by bias meanssuch as a coiled spring or the like. A fitting recess and a fittingprojection are formed at the abutment surfaces of the turnable memberand the movable member, respectively. When the reception section arrivesat the vicinity of the closed position, the fitting recess and thefitting projection are fitted to each other to thereby convert thebiasing force of the bias means into a turn biasing force in the closingdirection. On the other hand, when the reception section arrives at thevicinity of the open position, the fitting recess and the fittingprojection are fitted to each other to thereby convert the biasing forceof the bias means into a turn biasing force in the opening direction.Therefore, if the reception section is located in the vicinity of theclosed position or open position, it is rapidly turned to the closedposition or open position by the biasing force of the bias means.

An abutment recess and an abutment projection both extending in thecircumferential direction about the rotation axes of the transmissionsection and the reception section, are formed at the reception sectionand the turnable member, respectively. The abutment recess and theabutment projection are fitted to each other to thereby turn theturnable member following the motion of the reception section. However,the width of the abutment recess in the circumferential direction is setto be slightly larger than the width of the abutment projection in thecircumferential direction. Therefore, the turnable member can make arelative turn by a fine angle corresponding to the difference in widthbetween the reception section and the abutment projection with respectto the reception section.

In the hinge assembly thus constructed, when the fitting recess and thefitting projection are fitted to each other by turning the receptionsection to the vicinity of the closed position or open position, theturnable member is caused to make a rapid turn by a fine angle withrespect to the reception section by the bias means. As a consequence,one side surfaces of the abutment recess and the abutment projection inthe circumferential direction are collided with each other at a highspeed. Accordingly, a click sound can be generated even if thetransmission section is turned at a low speed.

In the hinge assembly according to the previous proposal, when thereception section is turned with respect to the transmission section,the movable member relatively turns with respect to the turnable memberand the fitting projection of the movable member slidingly contacts onthe abutment surface of the turnable member. Accordingly, if theturnable member should be formed of resin, it would probably be worn outsoon. Therefore, the turnable member is formed of metal so that it willbe prevented from being worn out soon.

However, if the turnable member is to be formed of metal, anotherproblem arises in which the recent requirement for forming the casing ofthe reception section from resin cannot be met. That is, whenever thereception section is turned into the closed position or open position,the side surface of the abutment recess in the circumferential directionis collided with the abutment projection. At that time, if the turnablemember should be made of metal and the reception section should be madeof resin, the abutment projection would be worn out soon. For thisreason, the casing of the reception section cannot be formed of resin.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

In order to solve the above problems, according to a first aspect of thepresent invention there is provided a hinge assembly comprises, in orderto turnably connect an equipment main body and a cover member between aclosed position and an open position, a hinge main body non-turnablyconnected to one of the equipment main body and the cover member, aturnable member arranged on a rotation axis of the equipment body andthe cover member, turnably connected to the other of the equipment mainbody and the cover member, and turnably connected to the hinge mainbody, and turn bias means disposed between the hinge main body and theturnable member, the turn bias means biasing, when the cover member islocated within a predetermined angular range from the closed positiontowards the open position side, the turnable member from the openposition side towards the closed position side and biasing, when thecover member is located within a predetermined angular range from theopen position towards the closed position side, the turnable member fromthe closed position side towards the open position side, an abutmentrecess being formed in an outer periphery of the turnable member, anabutment projection, which is to be inserted in the abutment recess,being formed on the other of the equipment main body and the covermember to which the turnable member is connected, wherein a drivermember is disposed adjacent to the turnable member in a direction of therotation axis, a pair of abutment projections for non-turnablyconnecting the driver member to the turnable member by being collidedwith opposite side surfaces of the abutment recess in thecircumferential direction are formed on the driver member in such amanner as to be away from each other in the circumferential directionabout the rotation axis, the abutment projection is inserted between thepair of abutment projections, so that when the turnable member is turnedin the closing direction by the turn bias means, one of the pair ofabutment projections is abutted with the abutment projection therebyturning the other of the equipment main body and the cover member towhich the turning member is connected, towards the closed position side,and when the turnable member is turned in the opening direction by theturn bias means, the other of the pair of abutment projections isabutted with the abutment projection thereby turning the other of theequipment main body and the cover member towards the open position side,at least portions of the pair of abutment projections which are to becollided with the abutment projection, are formed of resin, and aninterval between the pair of abutment projections in the circumferentialdirection is set to be larger by a predetermined small amount than awidth of the abutment projection in the circumferential direction.

In order to solve the above problems, according to a second aspect ofthe present invention, there is provided a hinge assembly comprises, inorder to turnably connect an equipment main body and a cover memberbetween a closed position and an open position, a hinge main bodynon-turnably connected to one of the equipment main body and the covermember, a turnable member arranged on a rotation axis of the equipmentbody and the cover member, turnably connected to the other of theequipment main body and the cover member, and turnably connected to thehinge main body, and turn bias means disposed between the hinge mainbody and the turnable member, the turn bias means biasing, when thecover member is located within a predetermined angular range from theclosed position towards the open position side, the turnable member fromthe open position side towards the closed position side and biasing,when the cover member is located within a predetermined angular rangefrom the open position towards the closed position side, the turnablemember from the closed position side towards the open position side, aradially projecting abutment projection being formed on an outerperiphery of the turnable member, an abutment recess, which allows theabutment projection to be inserted therein, being formed in the other ofthe equipment main body and the cover member to which the turnablemember is connected, wherein a driver member is disposed adjacent to theturnable member in a direction of the rotation axis, a radiallyprojecting support projection is formed on an outer periphery of thedriver member and a pair of abutment projections projecting towards theturnable member side and for non-turnably connecting the driver memberto the turnable member by being collided with opposite side surfaces ofthe abutment projection in the circumferential direction are formed onopposite end portions of the support projection in the circumferentialdirection, the pair of abutment projections are inserted in the abutmentrecess, so that when the turnable member is turned in the closingdirection by the turn bias means, one of the pair of abutmentprojections is abutted with one side surface of the abutment recess inthe circumferential direction thereby turning the other of the equipmentmain body and the cover member to which the turning member is connected,towards the closed position side, and when the turnable member is turnedin the opening direction by the turn bias means, the other of the pairof abutment projections is abutted with the other side surface of theabutment recess thereby turning the other of the equipment main body andthe cover member towards the open position side, at least portions ofthe pair of abutment projections which are to be collided with the sidesurfaces of the abutment recess, are formed of resin; and an intervalbetween the side surfaces of the pair of abutment projections which areaway from each other in the circumferential direction is set to besmaller by a predetermined small amount than a width of the abutmentrecess in the circumferential direction.

In the first and second aspects of the present invention, it ispreferred that entirety of the driver member is formed of resin.

It is also preferred that the turn bias means comprises a movable memberplaced opposite the turnable member and disposed at the hinge main bodysuch that the movable member is non-turnable but movable in a directionof the rotation axis and bias means for causing the movable member toabut with the turnable member, a first cam portion for converting thebiasing force of the bias means into a turn biasing force for turningthe turnable member from the open position side to the closed positionside when the cover member is located within a predetermined angularrange from the closed position towards the open position side and asecond cam portion for converting the biasing force of the bias meansinto a turn biasing force for turning the turnable member from theclosed position side to the open position side when the cover member islocated within a predetermined angular range from the open positiontowards the closed position side are disposed between the turnablemember and the movable member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view showing one embodiment according to a first aspect ofthe present invention and is a sectional view taken on line X—X of FIG.6.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken on line Y—Y of FIG. 6.

FIG. 3 is a front view showing a hinge assembly according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the above hinge assembly.

FIG. 5 is a view when viewed in a direction as indicated by an arrow Yof FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken on line X—X of FIG. 3, showing a stateof the hinge assembly inserted in an insertion cylindrical portion of acellular telephone.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken on line X—X of FIG. 4, showing a stateof the hinge assembly inserted in an insertion cylindrical portion of acellular telephone.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the above hinge assembly.

FIG. 9 is an illustration showing a turnable member used in the abovehinge assembly, FIG. 9(A) is a plan view thereof, FIG. 9(B) is asectional view taken on line B—B of FIG. 9(A), FIG. 9(C) is an enlargedsectional view taken FIG. 9(A), and FIG. 9(D) is an enlarged viewshowing the portion indicated by D of FIG. 9(B).

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the insertion cylindrical portion and afront view of the hinge assembly, showing a before-insertion state ofthe hinge assembly with respect to the insertion cylindrical portion ofa cellular telephone.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the insertion cylindrical portion and aplan view of the hinge assembly, showing an before-insertion state ofthe hinge assembly with respect to the insertion cylindrical portion ofa cellular telephone.

FIG. 12 is an illustration showing a cellular telephone in which thehinge assembly according to the present invention is used, FIG. 12(A) isa plan view showing a state in which a reception section is located inan open position, FIG. 12(B) is a side view thereof, and FIG. 12(C) isan enlarged view of the portion indicated by C of FIG. 12(B).

FIG. 13 is a view showing one embodiment according to a second aspect ofthe present invention and is a sectional view like FIG. 1.

FIG. 14 is a view, like FIG. 5, showing the above embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a view, like FIG. 10, showing the above embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a view, like FIG. 11, showing the above embodiment.

FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view showing the above embodiment.

FIG. 18 is an illustration showing a hinge main body in a conventionalhinge assembly, FIG. 18(A) is a plan view thereof, and FIG. 18(B) is asectional view taken on line B—B of FIG. 18(A).

FIG. 19 is an illustration showing a turnable member in a conventionalhinge assembly, FIG. 19(A) is a plan view thereof, and FIG. 19(B) is asectional view taken on line B—B of FIG. 19(A).

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention will be described hereinafter withreference to FIGS. 1 through 17, in which a hinge assembly according tothe present invention is applied to a cellular telephone. It should benoted that the hinge assembly according to the present invention canalso be used for other equipments than the cellular telephone by beingdisposed between an equipment main body and a cover member which can beturningly moved between a closed position and an open position.

FIGS. 1 through 12 show one embodiment according to a first aspect ofthe present invention. FIG. 12 shows a cellular telephone in which ahinge assembly 1 according to the present invention is used. Thiscellular telephone includes a transmission section (equipment main body)A which is provided with a microphone, various control buttons (none ofthem are shown) and the like, and a reception section B provided with aspeaker (not shown), a crystal display portion C and the like. Thetransmission section A and the reception section B are turnablyconnected to each other through the hinge assembly 1 about a rotationaxis L.

A pair of resin-made receiving cylindrical portions A1, A1 are disposedat an end portion of the transmission section A on the side of thereception section B. The pair of receiving cylindrical portions A1, A1are arranged at left and right side portions with their axes alignedwith the rotation axis L. On the other hand, a pair of resin-madereceiving cylindrical portions B1, B1 are disposed at an end portion ofthe reception section B on the side of the transmission section A. Thepair of receiving cylindrical portions B1, B1 each have an insidediameter and an outside diameter which are equal to an inside diameterand an outside diameter of the receiving cylindrical portion A1,respectively. The pair of receiving cylindrical portions B1, B1 arearranged such that they are generally in contact with inner end faces ofthe respective receiving cylindrical portions A1, A1 and their axes arealigned with the rotation axis L. By inserting the hinge assembly 1according to the present invention in the mutually adjacent tworeceiving cylindrical portions A1, B1, the transmission section A andthe reception section B are turnably connected to each other about therotation axis L. The turning range of the transmission section A and thereception section B is set between a closed position where the frontfaces (left faces in FIG. 12(B)) of the transmission section A and thereception section B are in abutment relation and an open position(position turned about 160 degrees from the closed position) shown inFIG. 12.

In the case of this embodiment, although the same hinge assembly 1 isinserted in each of the two sets of receiving cylindrical portions A1,B1, it is also accepted that the hinge assembly 1 is inserted in onlyone of the two sets of receiving cylindrical portions A1, B1 and adifferent hinge assembly or a bearing for merely turnably connecting thereceiving cylindrical portions A1, B1 is inserted in the other set.

As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, a pair of key portions A2, A2 are formed inthe inner peripheral surface of the receiving cylindrical portion A1.The pair of key portions extend from one end to the other end of thereceiving cylindrical portion A1 along the axis of the receivingcylindrical portion Al and are arranged 180 degrees away from each otherin the circumferential direction. An annular projection B2 is formed onthe inner peripheral surface of the other receiving cylindrical portionB1. This annular projection B2 is formed at the end portion on theopposite side of the receiving cylindrical portion Al. Moreover, a pairof key portions (abutment projections) B3, B3 are formed on the innerperipheral surface of the receiving cylindrical portion B1. The pair ofkey portions B3, B3 extend from the annular projection B2 to a generallycentral portion of the receiving cylindrical portion B1 in the axialdirection and are arranged 180 degrees away from each other in thecircumferential direction of the receiving cylindrical portion B1. Thepair of key portions B3, B3 are arranged such that they are aligned withthe key portions A2, A2, when the angle formed between the transmissionsection A and the reception section B is brought to be a value, forexample, 170 degrees, which is slightly larger than the angle formedtherebetween in the open position. However, the key portion B3 is setslightly larger in width in the circumferential direction and in heightthan the key portion A2.

Next, the hinge assembly 1 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and6 through 8, the hinge assembly 1 comprises a hinge main body 2, amovable member 3, a turnable member 4, a driver member 5, a connectionshaft 6 and a coiled spring 7 (bias means).

The hinge main body 2 is formed as a bottomed cylindrical body having abottom portion 21 at one end (right end in FIGS. 6 and 7) and being openat the other end. The outside diameter of the hinge main body 2 isgenerally equal to the inside diameter of the receiving cylindricalportions A1, B1. A pair of key grooves 22, 22 are formed in the outerperipheral surface of the hinge main body 2. The pair of key grooves 22,22 extend from one end of the hinge main body 2 to the other end alongthe axis of the hinge main body 2 and are arranged 180 degrees away fromeach other in the circumferential direction of the hinge main body 2. Asshown in FIGS. 1, 6 and 7, the hinge main body 2 is fitted to thereceiving cylindrical portion A1 and the key portions A2, A2 are fittedto the key grooves 22, 22. By doing so, the hinge main body 2 isnon-turnably connected to the transmission section A. Moreover, theportion of the main body 2 having a length about ¼ the entire lengthfrom the left end is turnably fitted to an end portion (end portionwhere no key portion B3 is formed) of the receiving cylindrical portionB1 on the side of the receiving cylindrical portion A1. By this, thereceiving cylindrical portion A1 and the receiving cylindrical portionB1 are turnably connected to each other through the hinge main body 2,and therefore, the transmission section A and the reception section Bare turnably connected to each other through the hinge main body 2.

The movable member 3 is molded from resin. It includes a disc portion31, and a pair of guide portions 32, 32 formed on the outer peripheralsurface of the disc portion 31. This disc portion 31 is slidinglymovably fitted to the inner periphery of the other end portion (left endportion in FIGS. 6 and 7) of the hinge main body 2. The pair of guideportions 32, 32 are arranged 180 degrees away from each other in thecircumferential direction of the disc portion 31 and slidingly movablyinserted in the guide grooves 23, 23, respectively which are formed inthe other end portion of the hinge main body 2. Owing to thisarrangement, the movable member 3 is connected to the hinge main body 2such that the movable member 3 is movable in a direction of the axis ofthe hinge main body 2 but non-turnable.

The turnable member 4 is made of metal and has a disc-likeconfiguration. The turnable member 4 is arranged with its axis alignedwith the rotation axis L and generally in contact relation with the endface of the hinge main body 2 on the open side. Accordingly, theturnable member 4 is in opposing relation with the movable member 3. Apair of key grooves (abutment recesses) 41, 41 are formed in the outerperipheral surface of the turnable member 4. The pair of key grooves 41,41 are arranged such that they transverse the turnable member 4 in adirection of the axis of the turnable member 4 and they are 180 degreesaway from each other in the circumferential direction. It is set suchthat the width of the key groove 41 in the circumferential direction isextensively larger than that of the key portion B3 and the depth of thekey groove 41 is generally equal to that of the key portion B3.

The driver member 5 is molded from resin. It includes a disc portion 51whose axis is aligned with the rotation axis L, and a cylindricalportion 52 extending forward from a central portion of that end portionof the disc portion 51 which is located on the opposite side of turnablemember 4. The disc portion 51 has a same outside diameter as theturnable member 4. The disc portion 51 is arranged such that it is incontact with the left side (opposite side of the movable member 3) endface of the turnable member 4. A pair of key grooves 53, 53 are formedin the outer peripheral surface of the disc portion 51. The pair of keygrooves 53, 53 are arranged 180 degrees away from each other in thecircumferential direction. Key portions B3, B3 are inserted in thecorresponding key grooves 53, 53. The width of each key groove 53 in thecircumferential direction is slightly larger than the width of the keyportion B3 in the circumferential direction. Accordingly, the drivermember 5 is turnable by a fine angle which corresponds to the differencein width between the key groove 53 and the key portion B3, with respectto the receiving cylindrical portion B1 and thus, with respect to thereception section B. Of course, after the side surface of the keyportion B3 orienting in the turning direction of the receivingcylindrical portion B1 is collided with the side surface of the keygroove 53, the driver member 5 is turned in unison with the receptionsection B.

Two pairs of abutment projections 54, 54, each pair consisting of twopieces, are formed on the outer side portion of the opposing surface ofthe disc portion 5 with respect to the turnable member 4. Each pair ofabutment projections 54, 54 are arranged such that they are located onopposite sides of the key groove 53. The outer peripheral surface ofeach abutment projection 5 is flush with the outer peripheral surface ofthe disc portion 51, and the radius of curvature of the inner peripheralsurface of the abutment projection 54 is equal to that of the bottomsurface of the key groove 53. Moreover, the distance between the outerside surfaces of the two abutment projections 54, 54 in thecircumferential direction is equal to the width of the key groove 41 ofthe turnable member 4 in the circumferential direction, and the length(length in a direction of the rotation axis L) of the abutmentprojection 54 is generally equal to the thickness of the turnable member4. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 1, the two abutment projections 54, 54can be inserted respectively in the opposite end portions of a keygroove 41 in the circumferential direction, and in a state of insertion,the end faces of the abutment projections 54, 54, which are away fromeach other in the circumferential direction, are in contact with theopposite side surfaces of the key groove 41, respectively. By this, thedriver member 5 is non-turnably connected to the turnable member 4. As aconsequence, the turnable member 4 is also turned in unison with thereception section B only excepting the above-mentioned fine angle.

The distance between the opposing inner side surfaces of the pair ofabutment projections 54, 54 in the circumferential direction is equal tothe width of the key groove 53 in the circumferential direction. As aconsequence, the key groove 53 is as if increased in length to theextent corresponding to the length of the abutment projection 54, andthe key portion B3 is fitted to the inner side surfaces of the pair ofprojections 54, 54. By this, the driver member 5 is more firmlynon-turnably connected to the receiving cylindrical portion B1.

The cylindrical portion 52 of the driver member 5 has a generally samelength as the annular projection B2. An annularly extendingsandwichingly holding projection 55 is formed on the outer periphery ofthe distal end portion of the cylindrical portion 52. In addition, atapered portion 56 further extending forward from the sandwichinglyholding projection 55 is formed on the outer periphery of the distal endportion of the cylindrical portion 52. Moreover, a plurality (four inthis embodiment) of slits 57 extending from the distal end of thecylindrical portion 52 to the disc portion 51 are formed in thecylindrical portion 52. Owing to formation of those slits 57, the distalend portion of the cylindrical portion 52 can be elastically deformedabout the basal end portion and the annular projection 55 and thetapered portion 56 can be enlarged and reduced in diameter. Therefore,as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, when the hinge assembly 1 is inserted intothe receiving cylindrical portion B1 from the receiving cylindricalportion A1 first with the driver member 5, the tapered portion 56 iscollided with an intersection portion between the inner end face and theinner peripheral surface of the annular projection B2 first. In thatstate, when the hinge assembly 1 is further inserted, the taperedportion 56 and the sandwichingly holding projection 55 are reduced indiameter as the insertion is progressed. When the sandwichingly holdingprojection 55 has passed the inside of the annular projection B2, theprojection 55 is enlarged in diameter so as to have the original outsidediameter As a consequence, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the sandwichinglyholding projection 55 and the disc portion 51 sandwichingly hold theannular projection B2 in a direction of the rotation axis L. By this,the hinge assembly 1 is positionally fixed to the receiving cylindricalportion B1 in a direction of the rotation axis L and hence, the hingeassembly 1 is positionally fixed to the receiving cylindrical portionsA1, B1 (transmission section A, reception section B) in a direction ofthe rotation axis L.

In the state where the hinge assembly 1 is positionally fixed to thereceiving cylindrical portion B1, the cylindrical portion 52 of thedriver portion 5 is turnably fitted to the inner peripheral surface ofthe annular projection B2 with almost no gap therebetween. This alsohelps to turnably connect the receiving cylindrical portions A1, B1.Accordingly, fitting of the hinge main body 2 to the receivingcylindrical portion B1 is not absolutely required. On the contrary, whenthe hinge main body 2 is to be turnably fitted to the receivingcylindrical portion B1, it is also accepted that the cylindrical portion2 is fitted to the annular projection with a gap therebetween.

The connection shaft 6 is arranged with its axis aligned with therotation axis L. As shown in FIGS. 6 through 8, it includes a disc-likehead portion 61, a shaft portion formed on a central portion of one endface of the head portion 61 and having a circular configuration insection, a fixed portion 63 formed on a distal end face of the shaftportion 62 and having a regular square configuration in section, and acaulking portion 64 formed on a distal end face of the fixed portion 63and having a circular configuration in section. Of course, the variousportions 61 through 64 of the connection shaft 6 are formed with theiraxes aligned to one another. The shaft portion 62 of the connectionportion 6 is turnably and slidingly movably pierced through an insertionhole 24 formed in a central portion of the bottom portion 21 of thehinge main body 2, further pierced through the hinge main body 2, andfurther turnably and slidingly movably pierced through an insertion hole33 formed in a central portion of the movable member 3. The length ofthe shaft portion 62 is dimensioned slightly longer than the length ofthe hinge main body 2. Accordingly, when the head portion 61 is abuttedwith the bottom portion 21, the distal end portion of the shaft portion62 is slightly projected from the hinge main body 2, and the fixedportion 63 and the caulking portion 64 are projected from the endportion of the hinge main body 2 on its opening side. The fixed portion63 is non-turnably fitted to an insertion hole 42 formed in a centralportion of the turnable portion 4 and having a regular squareconfiguration. The caulking portion 64 is fitted to an insertion hole Saformed in a central portion of the disc portion 51 of the driver member5. By caulking the caulking portion 64, the driver member 5 is fixed soas not to escape from the caulking portion 64. Moreover, since thedriver member 5 is collided with the turnable member 4, the turnablemember 4 is also fixed to the fixed portion 63 so as to escape. As aconsequence, the head portion 61 of the connection shaft 6 and theturnable member 4 as if sandwichingly hold the hinge main body 2 (thougha very small gap is present), thereby the entirety is integrated.

A coiled spring 7 is disposed between the inner periphery of the hingemain body 2 and the outer periphery of the shaft portion 61 of theconnection shaft 6. This coiled spring 7 is disposed in a compressedstate in a direction of the rotation axis L. One end of the coiledspring 7 is collided with the bottom portion 21 of the hinge main body 2and the other end is collided with the movable member 3. Accordingly,the coiled spring 7 causes the movable member 3 to abut with theturnable member 4 by its biasing force.

A pair of metal-made balls 8, 9 are rotatably disposed at the abutmentsurface of the movable member 3 with respect to the turnable member 4.The pair of balls 8, 9 are arranged 180 degrees away from each other inthe circumferential direction on a circumference about the rotation axisL. Instead of the balls 8, 9, a metal-made projection(s) having asemi-spherical configuration, for example, may be fixed to the movablemember 3.

On the other hand, a pair of driver recesses 43, 44 are, as shown inFIGS. 9(A) and 9(B), formed in the abutment surface of the turnablemember 4 with respect to the movable member 3. The driver recesses 43,44 are arranged 180 degrees away from each other on the samecircumference where the pair of balls 8, 9 are arranged. Accordingly,when the turnable member 4 is turned an appropriate angle through thereception section B, the pair of balls 8, 9 are brought into one of thedriver recesses 43, 44. In this embodiment, when the turnable member 4is turned about 160 degrees from the closed position where the receptionsection B is collided with the transmission section A, the balls 8, 9are brought into the driver recesses 44, 43, respectively. Between thedriver recesses 43, 44, the balls 8, 9 are rollingly moved within guidegrooves 45, 46, which are formed on the same circumference where thedriver recesses 43, 44 and the driver recesses 43, 44 are arranged.

As shown in FIG. 9(D), the depth of the driver recesses 43, 44 isslightly smaller than the radius of the balls 8, 9. The radius ofcurvature of the driver recesses 43, 44 in a section including thediameter line of the turnable member 4 is generally equal to the radiusof the balls 8, 9. On the other hand, the radius of curvature of thedriver recesses 43, 44 in a section of the turnable member 4 in thecircumferential direction is, as shown in FIG. 9(C), greatly larger thanthe radius of the balls 8, 9. Thus, when the balls 8, 9 are offset inthe circumferential direction from the centers of the driver recesses43, 44, the bottom surfaces of the driver recesses 43, 44 convert thebiasing force of the coiled spring 7 into a turn biasing force forturning the turnable member 4. That is, the bottom surfaces of thedriver recesses 43, 44 act as a cam for converting the biasing force ofthe coiled spring 7 into a turn biasing force. Let's presume here that,in FIGS. 9(A), of the entire bottom surfaces of the respective driverrecesses 43, 44, the portions located on the side as indicated by anarrow X from the center in circumferential direction serve as a firstcam face (first cam portion) 43 a, 44 a, and those portions located onthe side as indicated by an arrow Y serve as a second cam face (secondcam portion) 43 b, 44 b. When the reception section B is located in theclosed position where the front surface of the reception section Bprovided with the liquid crystal display portion C is collided with thefront surface of the transmission section A provided with the controlbuttons, the balls 8, 9 are collided with the first cam faces 43 a, 44a, respectively. In that state, the biasing force of the coiled spring 7is converted, by the first cam faces 43 a, 44 a, into a turn biasingforce for biasing the turnable member 4 in a direction (directiontowards the closed position side from the open position side) asindicated by an arrow X of FIGS. 9(A) and 9(B). On the contrary, whenthe reception section B is located in the open position where thereception section B is turned about 160 degrees from the closedposition, the balls 8, 9 are collided with the second face faces 44 b,43 b, respectively. In that state, the biasing force of the coiledspring 7 is converted, by the second cam faces 43 b, 44 b, into a turnbiasing force for biasing the turnable member 4 in a direction(direction towards the open position side from the closed position side)as indicated by an arrow Y. As apparent from the foregoing, the turnbias means 10 is constituted by the movable member 3, the coiled spring7, the balls 8, 9, the first cam faces 43 a, 44 a and the second camfaces 43 b, 44 b.

When the hinge assembly 1 thus constructed is to be assembled in acellular telephone, first, the reception section B is brought to alocation where the reception section B is turned about 10 degrees fromthe open position shown in FIG. 12 further towards the open positionside, i.e., the reception section B is brought to a location where thereception section B is turned about 170 degrees from the closedposition. By doing so, the key portion A2 of the receiving cylindricalportion A1 and the key portion B3 of the receiving cylindrical portionB1 are linearly arranged side by side. On the other hand, with respectto the hinge assembly 1, the balls 8, 9 are brought to generally centralportions of the driver recesses 44, 43 and the key grooves 22, 41, 53are linearly arranged side by side. Thereafter, as shown in FIGS. 10 and11, the positions of the key grooves 22, 41, 53 in the circumferentialdirection are brought into coincidence with the key portions A2, A3, andthe hinge assembly 1 is sequentially inserted into the receivingcylindrical portions A1, B1 from the receiving cylindrical portion A1side first with the driver member 5.

When the hinge assembly 1 is inserted into a predetermined position, thekey portion A2 is fitted to the key groove 22, thereby the hinge mainbody 2 is non-turnably fitted to the receiving cylindrical portion A1.Moreover, a part of the hinge main body 2 is turnably fitted to thereceiving cylindrical portion B1. By this, the receiving cylindricalportions A1, B1 are turnably connected to each other and thus, thetransmission section A and the reception section B are turnablyconnected to each other. Moreover, fitting of the key portion B3 to thekey groove 53 causes the driver member 5 to be non-turnably fitted tothe receiving cylindrical portion B1 only excepting a predetermined fineangle. As a consequence, the turnable member 4 is non-turnably connectedto the reception section B only excepting a fine angle. By sandwichingholding the annular projection B2 of the receiving cylindrical portionB1 between the disc portion 51 and the sandwichingly holding projection55 of the driver member 5, the hinge assembly 1 is fixed to thereceiving cylindrical portions A1, B1, thereby the transmission sectionA and the reception section B cannot be separated from each other. Afterthe hinge assembly 1 is inserted into the receiving cylindrical portionsA1, B1 in the manner as mentioned above, the reception section B isturned about 10 degrees towards the closed position side so as to belocated in the open position. Thereafter, a stopper (not shown) isprovided between the transmission section A and the reception section Bso that the reception section B is prevented from turning from theclosed position side towards the open position side beyond the openposition. By this, the attachment of the hinge assembly 1 is completed.

In the cellular telephone in which the hinge assembly 1 is assembled inthe manner as described above, it is presumed here that the receptionsection B is located in the closed position. In the closed position, thebiasing force of the coiled spring 7 is converted into a turn biasingforce by the turn bias means 10, i.e., first cam faces 43 a, 44 a. Bythis turn biasing force, the turnable member 4 is turn biased in adirection from the open position side towards the closed position sideand the reception section B is biased in the same direction through thedriver member 5. By this, the reception section B is retained in theclosed position where the reception section B is collided with thetransmission section A.

When the reception section B located in the closed position is to bebrought into the open position, the reception section B is manuallyturned towards the open position side (in a direction as indicated by anarrow Y of FIG. 9). In that case, as long as the balls 8, 9 are incontact with the first cam faces 43 a, 44 a, the reception section B isturned towards the open position side against the biasing force of theturn bias means 10. When the reception section B is turned towards theopen position side, the key portion B3 is collided with that sidesurface of the key groove 53 which is oriented towards the closedposition side. As a consequence, the turnable member is turned in adirection as indicated by an arrow Y of FIG. 9(A) together with thereception section B. When the balls 8, 9 are brought out of the driverrecesses 43, 44 in accordance with the turning motion of the turnablemember 4, the turn biasing force of the turn bias means 10 does not act.Accordingly, the reception section B is turned towards the open positionside against the rotation friction of the balls 8, 9 which are rollinglymoved within the guide grooves 45, 46. When the reception section Barrives at the vicinity of the open position and the balls 8, 9 arecontacted with the second face faces 44 b, 43 b, respectively, theturnable member 4 is rapidly turned towards the open position side bythe difference in width between the key portion B3 and the key groove 53under the effect of the turn biasing force of the turn bias means 10. Asa consequence, that side surface of the two side surfaces of the keygroove 53 which is oriented towards the open position side is collidedwith the key portion B3. By this, a click sound is generated.Accordingly, even if the reception section B is turned at a low speed, aclick sound can surely be generated. Moreover, since the resin-madeabutment projection 54 is collided with the key portion B3 withoutallowing the metal-made turnable member 4 to collide with the keyportion B3, the reception section B and the receiving cylindricalportion B1, which are made of resin, can be prevented from getting wornout soon. Thereafter, when the reception section B is turned into theopen position through the turnable member 4, the reception section B iscollided with the stopper and stopped, thus being prohibited from beingturned further towards the open position side from the closed positionside. By this, the reception section B is retained in the open position.

On the contrary, when the reception section B located in the openposition is to be brought into the closed position, the receptionsection B is turned from the open position side towards the closedposition side. In that case, for the first increment of time of theturning movement in which the turning angle is within a predeterminedangular range from the open position towards the closed position side,the reception section B is turned against the biasing force of the turnbias means 10 as in the case for turning the reception section B towardsthe open position side. When the reception section B arrives at thevicinity of the closed position and the balls 8, 9 are contacted withthe first cam faces 43 a, 44 a of the driver recesses 43, 44, theturnable member 4 is rapidly turned in a direction (direction asindicated by an arrow X) from the open position side towards the closedposition side by the turn biasing force of the turn bias means 10. As aconsequence, the driver member 5, which is non-turnably connected to theturnable member 4, is also rapidly turned in a direction as indicated bythe arrow X and that side surface of the key groove 53 orienting towardsthe closed position side is collided with a side surface of the keyportion B3. By this, a click sound is generated. Thereafter, when theturnable member 4 is further turned towards the closed position side bythe bias means 7 and the reception section B arrives at the closedposition, the reception section B is collided with the transmissionsection A, thus prohibiting the reception section B from further turningin a direction from the open position side towards the closed positionside. By this, the reception section B is retained in the closedposition.

Next, one embodiment according to a second aspect of the presentinvention will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 through 17. Inthis embodiment, only the different constitution from the aboveembodiment will be described. Like parts of the above embodiment aredenoted by like reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

In a cellular telephone of this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16,a key groove A3 instead of the key portion A2 is formed in the receivingcylindrical portion A1, and a key groove (abutment recess) B4 instead ofthe key portion B3 is formed in the inner peripheral surface of thereceiving cylindrical portion B1. The key groove B4 is set to beslightly smaller in width in the circumferential direction and in depththan the key groove A3. Moreover, the key groove B4 extends from theannular projection B2 to the end face of the receiving cylindricalportion B1 on the side of the receiving cylindrical portion Al.

On the other hand, a pair of key portions 25, 25 instead of the pair ofkey grooves 22, 22 are formed on the outer peripheral surface of thehinge main body 2 of a hinge assembly 1′. The fitting of the keyportions 25, 25 to the key grooves A3, A3 of the receiving cylindricalportion A1, respectively, causes the hinge main body 2 to benon-turnably connected to the receiving cylindrical portion A1 and thusto the transmission section A. The key portion 25 is not formed on thatarea where the hinge main body 2 is inserted in the receivingcylindrical portion B1. Accordingly, also in this embodiment, thetransmission section A and the reception section B are turnablyconnected to each other through the hinge main body 2.

A pair of key portions (abutment projections) radially projection fromthe outer peripheral surface, instead of the pair of key grooves 41, areformed on the outer peripheral surface of the turnable member 4. Thewidth of the key portion 47 in the circumferential direction is set tobe smaller than the width of the key groove B4.

A pair of key portions (support projections) radially projecting fromthe outer peripheral surface, instead of the pair of key grooves 53, 53,are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the disc portion 51 of thedriver member 5. The outer peripheral surface of the key portion 58 hasa same radius of curvature as the outer peripheral surface of the keyportion 47. A pair of fitting projections 59, 59 projecting towards theturnable member 4 side are formed on the opposite sides of that end faceof each key portion 58 which is oriented towards the turnable member 4side. The outer peripheral surfaces of the pair of fitting projections59, 59 have a same radius of curvature as the outer peripheral surfaceof the key portion 58. Moreover, the interval between the pair offitting projections 59, 59 in the circumferential direction is set to beequal to the width of the key portion 47 in the circumferentialdirection, and the length thereof in a direction of the rotation axis Lis set to be generally equal to the thickness of the turnable member 4in the same direction. Accordingly, the key portion 47 is tightly fittedbetween the pair of fitting projections 59, 59, and the pair of fittingprojections 59, 59 are in contact with the opposite side surfaces of thekey portion 47, respectively. By this, the fixed member 5 is relativelynon-turnably connected to the turnable member 4.

The side surfaces of the pair of fitting projections 59, 59 which arelocated on the side away from each other in the circumferentialdirection, are coplanar with the opposite side surfaces of the keyportion 58 in the circumferential direction. As a consequence, the keyportion 58 is as if increased in length to the extent corresponding tothe length of the fitting projections 59, 59. The width (width betweenthe side surfaces of the pair of fitting projections 59, 59 which areaway from each other) of the key portion 58 in the circumferentialdirection is set to be slightly smaller than the width of the key grooveB4. Accordingly, the fixed member 5 and the turnable member 4 isturnable by a fine angle which corresponds to the difference in widthbetween the key portion 58 and the key groove B4, with respect to thereceiving cylindrical portion B1. When the reception section B is turnedinto the closed position or open position, the key portion 58 and thefitting projections 59, 59 are collided with the side surface of the keygroove B4 at a high speed as in the above-mentioned embodiment. By this,a click sound is generated. Moreover, since the driver member 5 isformed of resin and thus, the key portion 58 and the fitting projection59 are formed of resin, the key portion B4 of the receiving cylindricalportion B1 can be prevented from getting worn out soon.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

A hinge assembly according to the present invention can be used as ahinge assembly for turnably connecting a main body and a cover member toeach other, of a cellular telephone, a personal computer, and the like.

What is claimed is:
 1. A hinge assembly comprises, in order to turnablyconnect an equipment main body (A) and a cover member (B) between aclosed position and an open position: a hinge main body (2) non-turnablyconnected to one of said equipment main body (A) and said cover member(B); a turnable member (4) arranged on a rotation axis (L) of saidequipment body (A) and said cover member (B), turnably connected to theother of said equipment main body (2) and said cover member (B), andturnably connected to said hinge main body (2); and turn bias means (10)disposed between said hinge main body (2) and said turnable member (4),said turn bias means (10) biasing, when said cover member (B) is locatedwithin a predetermined angular range from the closed position towardsthe open position side, said turnable member (4) from the open positionside towards the closed position side and biasing, when said covermember (B) is located within a predetermined angular range from the openposition towards the closed position side, said turnable member (4) fromthe closed position side towards the open position side; an abutmentrecess (41) being formed in an outer periphery of said turnable member(4); an abutment projection (B3), which is to be inserted in saidabutment recess (41), being formed on the other of said equipment mainbody (A) and said cover member (B) to which said turnable member (4) isconnected; wherein a driver member (5) is disposed adjacent to saidturnable member (4) in a direction of the rotation axis (L); a pair ofabutment projections (54, 54) for non-turnably connecting said drivermember (5) to said turnable member (4) by being collided with oppositewide surfaces of said abutment recess (41) in the circumferentialdirection are formed on said driver member (5) in such a manner as to beaway from each other in the circumferential direction about the rotationaxis (L); said abutment projection (B3) is inserted between said pair ofabutment projection (54, 54), so that when said turnable member (4) isturned in the closing direction by said turn bias means (10), one (54)of said pair of abutment projections (54, 54) is abutted with saidabutment projection (B3) thereby turning the other (B) of said equipmentmain body (A) and said cover member (B) to which said turning member (4)is connected, towards the closed position side, and when said turnablemember (4) is turned in the opening direction by said turn bias means(10), the other (54) of said pair of abutment projections (54, 54) isabutted with said abutment projection (B3) thereby turning the other (B)of said equipment main body (A) and sad cover member (B) towards theopen position side; at least portions of said pair of abutmentprojections (54, 54) which are to be collided with said abutmentprojection (B3), are formed of resin; and an interval between said pairof abutment projections (54, 54) in the circumferential direction is setto be larger by a predetermined small amount than a width of saidabutment projection (B3) in the circumferential direction.
 2. A hingeassembly according to claim 1, wherein entirety of said driver member(5) is formed of resin.
 3. A hinge assembly according to claim 1,wherein said turn bias means (10) comprises a movable member (3) placedopposite said turnable member (4) and disposed at said hinge main body(2) such that said movable member (3) is non-turnable but movable in adirection of the rotation axis (L) and bias means (7) for causing saidmovable member (3) to abut with said turnable member (4), a first camportion (43 a, 44 a) for converting the biasing force of said bias means(7) into a turn biasing force for turning said turnable member (4) fromthe open position side to the closed position side when said covermember (B) is located within a predetermined angular range from theclosed position towards the open position side and a second cam portion(43 b, 44 b) for converting the biasing force of said bias means (7)into a turn biasing force for turning said turnable member (4) from theclosed position side to the open position side when said cover member(B) is located within a predetermined angular range from the openposition towards the closed position side are disposed between saidturnable member (4) and said movable member (3).
 4. A hinge assemblycomprises, in order to turnably connect an equipment main body (A) and acover member (B) between a dosed position and an open position: a hingemain body (2) non-turnably connected to one of said equipment main body(A) and said cover member (B); a turnable member (4) arranged on arotation axis (L) of said equipment body (A) and said cover member (B),turnably connected to the other of said equipment main body (2) and saidcover member (B), and turnably connected to said binge main body (2);and turn bias means (10) disposed between said hinge main body (2) andsaid turnable member (4), said turn bias means (10) hissing, when saidcover member (B) is located within a predetermined angular range fromthe closed position towards the open position side, said turnable member(4) from the open position side towards the closed position side andbiasing, when said cover member (B) is located within a predeterminedangular range from the open position towards the closed position side,said turnable member (4) from the closed position side towards the openposition side; a radially projecting abutment projection (47) beingformed on an outer periphery of said turnable member (4); an abutmentrecess (B4), which allows said abutment projection (47) to be insertedtherein, being formed in the other of said equipment main body (A) andsaid cover member (B) to which said turnable member (4) is connected;wherein a driver member (5) is disposed adjacent to said turnable member(4) in a direction of the rotation axis (L); a radially projectingsupport projection (58) is formed on an outer periphery of said drivermember (5) and a pair of abutment projections (59, 59) projectingtowards said turn able member (4) side and for non-turnably connectingsaid driver member (5) to said turnable member (4) by being collidedwith opposite side surfaces of said abutment projection (47) in thecircumferential direction are formed on opposite end portions of saidsupport projection (58) in the circumferential direction; said pair ofabutment projections (59, 59) are inserted in said abutment recess (B4),so that when said tamable member (4) is turned in the closing directionby said turn bias means (10), one (59) of said pair of abutmentprojections (59, 69) is abutted with one side surface of said abutmentrecess (B4) in the circumferential direction thereby turning the other(B) of said equipment main body (A) and said cover member (B) to whichsaid turning member (4) is connected, towards the closed position side,and when said turnable member (4) is turned in the opening direction bysaid turn bias means (10), the other (59) of said pair of abutmentprojections (59, 59) is abutted with the other side surface of saidabutment recess (B4) thereby turning the other (B) of said equipmentmain body (A) and said cover member (B) towards the open position side;at least portions of said pair of abutment projections (59, 69) whichare to be collided with the side surfaces of said abutment recess (B4),are formed of resin; and an interval between the side surfaces of saidpair of abutment projections (59, 59) which are away from each other inthe circumferential direction is set to be smaller by a predeterminedsmall amount than a width of said abutment recess (B4) in thecircumferential direction.
 5. A hinge assembly according to claim 4,wherein entirety of said driver member (5) is formed of resin.
 6. Ahinge assembly according to claim 4 wherein said turn bias means (10)comprises a movable member (3) placed opposite said turnable member (4)and disposed at said hinge main body (2) such that said movable member(3) is non-turnable but movable in a direction of the rotation axis (L)and bias means (7) for causing said movable member (3) to abut with saidturnable member (4), a first cam portion (43 a, 44 a) for converting thebiasing force of said bias means (7) into a turn biasing force forturning said turnable member (4) from the open position side to theclosed position side when said cover member (B) is located within apredetermined angular range from the closed position towards the openposition side and a second cam portion (43 b, 44 b) for converting thebiasing force of said bias means (7) into a turn biasing force forturning said turnable member (4) from the closed position side to theopen position side when said cover member (B) is located within apredetermined angular range from the open position towards the closedposition side are disposed between said turnable member (4) and saidmovable member (3).
 7. A hinge assembly according to claim 2, whereinsaid turn bias means (10) comprises a movable member (3) placed oppositesaid turnable member (4) and disposed at said hinge main body (2) suchthat said movable member (3) is non-turnable but movable in a directionof the rotation axis (L) and bias means (7) for causing said movablemember (3) to abut with said turnable member (4), a first cam portion(43 a, 44 a) for converting the biasing force of said bias means (7)into a turn biasing force for turning said turnable member (4) from theopen position side to the closed position side when said cover member(B) is located within a predetermined angular range from the closedposition towards the open position side and a second cam portion (43 b,44 b) for converting the biasing force of said bias means (7) into aturn biasing force for turning said turnable member (4) from the closedposition side to the open position side when said cover member (B) islocated within a predetermined angular range from the open positiontowards the closed position side are disposed between said turnablemember (4) and said movable member (3).
 8. A hinge assembly according toclaim S wherein said turn bias means (10) comprises a movable member (3)placed opposite said turnable member (4) and disposed at said hinge mainbody (2) such that said movable member (3) is non-turnable but movablein a direction of the rotation axis (L) and bias means (7) for causingsaid movable member (3) to abut with said turnable member (4), a firstcam portion (43 a, 44 a) for converting the biasing force of said biasmeans (7) into a turn biasing force for turning said turnable member (4)from the open position side to the closed position side when said covermember (B) is located within a predetermined angular range from theclosed position towards the open position side and a second cam portion(43 b, 44 b) for converting the biasing force of said bias means (7)into a turn biasing force for turning said turnable member (4) from theclosed position side to the open position side when said cover member(B) is located within a predetermined angular range from the openposition towards the closed position side are disposed between saidturnable member (4) and said movable member (3).